New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-27
A CONTRAST IN PRINTING.
Mr.. DE WINNIE AND ELLIOT STOCK.

Mr.. DE WINNIE AND ELLIOT STOCK.
historic PRINTING TYPES. Lecture Real Before
the Groier Club OF New York. January % 1Ss3,with
Additions and New Illustrations. BY TuEo. L. de
WINNIE 4to. PIP. ITO. The De Vlnne Press
A HISTORY OF OLD ENGLISH LETTER ,FoUN-
DRIES with Notes, Historical ana Blbiographlcal on
the Rise and PROGRESS Of English rygoseaphy: by
TALBOT BAISE5 REED. 4to. pp XIV, 379 London;
Elliot Stock; New York: A. q. Armstrong & SON.
Mr. De Vnue's lecture on the leading styles and
historical specimens Of printing types, more partic-
ularly of the kinds used IN tho best book work. Is
an example of tho brief comprehensive. exact,
learned and sympathetic treatment of n technical
subject by a man who not only is thorough master
OF his business but has artists aflectonate feeling
for it. Ie is of the few printers to whom printing
is something far than trade 1t - one or the
polite accomplishments ha wing an intimate rela-
ton both art and letters and one is tit for It's
first honors without liberal education and a just
and cultivated taste. His admirable lecture en-
braces sketch Of the invention, the Introduction
and what we may call tho ancestry of the diierent
STYLES of letter which deserve the name OF historical
either from their extensive use their association
with the product of famous presses; ana TINS
sketch is accompanied by numerous fac-simile Nus
tratons reproduced with exceptional success Inc
literary style is excellent, for il Is clear, simple
easy and taking The most characteristic merit of
the lecture, however. will probably be found in the
critical comments With which tho ar thor sets forth
tho distinctive marks of each STYLE its excelencss
and its defects There few lovers OF fine BOOKS
who cannot learn IRON these brief and pointed re-
marks OF an expert hat makes the beauty OF many
\ fayorlte page an wny tho effect OF costly ana
elaborate work is so often disappointing Mr. DE
Winnie is by no means pleased with some of the pre-
yailIng fashions in printing The firm press-work
of the last century. the clearncs3 of text which
makes reading a delight. has well nigh disappeared.
We have in recent books more careful prcss-work
from types of graceful proportions; but the color
of the print is too often gray than black. the
lines arc weak, the letters run together, and are
dazzling and confusing, ncycrending annoyance
to men OF faing evesight. Types made sharp
enor gh by the ty e-!Oundcr are made still sharper
by feeble press-worI The modern pressinaD Is daily
cnjoincd not TO ovcrcolor, not to thcken hair line,
not 20 wear out plates or types. Cautions like the'e
induce him to take the safe side he gives rs Ittie
ink aud as feeble impression as he can-snd ne pro-
duccs press-wcrk winch few good hand -prc1smen oil
the last generation would have dared to offer their
employers There IS no more beautiful specimen
cftype in the whole collection than that OF the ect
ure itself II Is a noble masculine letter. with a
round open face showing tho white necessary to
relieve the eye; sharp cut but not too fine. and
taking tho ink well. The press work Is exquisite
The clear white paper is FREQ from excessive Gloss,
and the strongly printed and well-proportoned
page is one of the most comfortable to read that It
has lately been our good fortune 10 examine.
Mr. Reeds elaborate " History Of English type
founding, appearing almost simultaneously with
Mr. De Ninne's brochure. clors in one respect IN
instructive contrast to il. We might have expected
in such a work spccisnen Of tho taste and ability
Of English printers OF tho present dav; but the
fault, IN the mechanical execution OF the book are
obvious The tyne. which IL one Of tho popula ar
modern royiyals. or rather notifications, OF the
antique, is shapcly and well-proportoned' and
shows no excessively line lines Still 10 lacks
strength and character aIl this dcfec. is agra
waited by the makeup aud printing. The letter -
too small for tho page tho rough yolloWish paTer
does not exhibit color properly; the general effect
is gray rather than gooi black and white, and the
long close lines are extremely trying 10 the eyes.
Mr. Reed pays little or attention To the aesthetic
aspect OF has subject and his criticisms upon differ
cnt styles AID fashions OF letters hasty and gen
cral. Ilo figures rather ~ historian AMI ahtquAry
than as critic In his chosen field his work Is pains
taking and thorough. lilo has pushed his rc-
searches very far. Producing book which will he
found indispensable 10 the student OF English
Typography prior 20 tho year 1880. II IS well
god and we'll lndcXcd. aud - illustrated with
number of iar-sImilcs. portraits, etc.